How it all Began

A couple of months ago, I received an email from Andrew. He and his girlfriend of 8 years, JaLayne, were planning a vacation to Yellowstone with his parents. But this trip had a secret agenda: he wanted to propose. From that moment, the planning began.

The Perfect Morning for a Proposal

Andrew chose an incredible spot with the Lower Falls as the backdrop. He envisioned a peaceful morning proposal just after sunrise—when the light is soft, the air is crisp, and the park is still waking up. We coordinated every little detail, and the excitement started building.

A Buffalo Jam and a Quick Detour

When the big day finally arrived, I hit the road before dawn for the 2.5–3 hour drive into the park. The skies were clear, the morning light was golden, and everything was aligning perfectly. Well… almost everything. I did hit a classic Yellowstone buffalo jam! But no worries—I still had time.

About ten minutes from our meeting spot, I got a text from Andrew’s mom: They’re already near the location! Cue the adrenaline! Luckily, she expertly redirected the group to a different lookout point above the canyon to buy us some time.

Showtime at the Falls

When I arrived, I met Andrew’s dad in the parking lot. He gave me the scoop, and I hustled down to our designated spot. Miraculously, it was empty. Just me, a raven soaring overhead, the view, and the sound of the falls echoing through the canyon. It was perfect.

Moments later, Andrew and JaLayne arrived. They began taking in the view and snapping a few casual photos, and I gave Andrew the thumbs up—it was go time.

Her Reaction Says It All

What followed was pure emotion. JaLayne’s surprise, the happy tears, the joy in her smile—it was all so genuine and beautiful. She was in awe of the ring (which was absolutely stunning!) and said it was exactly what she had hoped for.

Behind Every Proposal Is a Great Story

One of my favorite parts of photographing proposals is hearing all the behind-the-scenes details. How long he had the ring. Where he kept it hidden. Whether she had any idea. Andrew had been playfully teasing JaLayne during the trip about the “perfect moment,” so she had a feeling something might happen that day—but she definitely didn’t expect it to be that morning!

Did She Know? Sort of… But Still Surprised!

A Family Celebration to Remember

After the proposal, the couple hiked back up to find Andrew’s parents waiting to celebrate with them from above—a beautiful family moment to end the morning.

Final Thoughts

Capturing love stories like this, in such awe-inspiring places, is what makes my heart beat fast. Scroll through the photos below to experience the magic of Andrew and JaLayne’s proposal day—every emotion, every detail, every breathtaking view.

Congratulations again, you two. Your adventure is just beginning. 💍💛